7th DAY OF THE 21ST PROVINCIAL CHAPTER

If there are golden girls, there should also be golden boys. Entering into their golden year in their priesthood are our brother capitulars Frs. Anthony Palos, Jose Antonio Arias, and Alfredo de Dios. They were our main concelebrants in today’s Eucharistic celebration.

In his homily, Fr. Palos, quoting the Lord’s words: “I pray Father, that they may be one, as you and I are one”, pointed out the unity that should continue among the capitulars in particular and the members of the Province in general. This unity should be founded on love like the love of the Father to Jesus his Son, and like the love of the Son to all of us.

Speaking on behalf of his classmates who celebrate with him the 50th year of their priestly life during this year of the Priesthood, Fr. Palos thanked the Lord for the gift of the vocation to the priesthood within the Augustinian Recollect Family.

We started the first morning session by chanting IOSEPH in honor of St. Joseph, the protector of our Order. Immediately, Fr. Michael Rafferty, the ever diligent chapter secretary read the minutes of the previous day’s sessions followed by the normal clarification/corrections and approval of the same.

• We then continued with the Second Presentation of the proposals from the government and finance commission. After much clarifications, discussions and additions or subtractions on each number of the proposals we proceeded to vote and approved the following:
  
• Religious pastoral team assigned at Mary Star of the Sea Parish, Oxnard, CA to reside at our community house, St. Augustine Priory, adjacent to it.
  
• To continue studying the situation of our ministry at St. Joseph Cursillo Center in Bronx, NY
  
• To make a generous contribution to the OAR Fund
  
• Making improvement in our fundraising drive
  
• Taking care of our Provincial Archive
  
• Making effort to translate into English some Spanish OAR documents and books
  
• Caring for the elderly and infirm members of our Province
  
• The manner of electing delegates to the Provincial Chapter
  
• West Orange, NJ as the Provincial Residence
  
• Date of the next Provincial Chapter

For a job well done, Fr. General who’s presiding the Chapter, congratulated the capitulars of the different commissions, namely, Spirituality, Vocations-Formation, Apostolate, and Government-Finance. A good break followed as the capitulars prepared for the election of the new Prior Provincial

Convoked again at 11:00 AM, Fr. General expressed his gratefulness first to the Lord for all the blessings bestowed on our Province during the last triennium and during the duration of the chapter. He also thanked the Prior Provincial and his Council, the local priors as well as those who had special responsibilities during the last term and all the religious of the Province for their valued contributions. He reminded the capitulars that we need to thank the Lord and one another for the moments of joys and triumphs along the way. He, however, encourage us to recognize our weaknesses and failures and ask the Lord for mercy and forgiveness.

Afterward, Fr. Charles Huse, the outgoing Prior Provincial surrendered back the Seal of the Province to the Prior General who officially absolved or cleared him of all the obligations of a Prior Provincial. Without more ado, Fr. General asked that numbers of our Constitutions regarding the election of a Prior Provincial be read. After a brief explanation, he then asked the capitulars to cast their vote. Then, the results were announced: We have a new Prior Provincial in Fr. Joseph Gallardo, OAR

At 11:30 AM, all the friars proceeded to the Chapel for the rite of the installation of our new Prior Provincial. After reciting the Angelus and Midday Prayer, Fr. Alfredo the Dios, representing the chapter tellers, officially announced the election of Fr. Joseph Gallardo, OAR as the Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Augustine for the next four years. The TE DEUM was at once chanted led by Fr. Robert Huse, OAR who has been our musician during these days. Then, Fr. Gallardo made the Profession of Faith after which Fr. General proclaimed the legitimacy of his election as Prior Provincial while turning over to him the Seal of the Province.

Fr. Gallardo next gave a brief message in which, after recognizing his weakness, he expressed gratefulness to God and the brothers in the Province for his election to lead the Province. He pledged to do his best, with the help of God and with all his gifts, to direct the Province to move forward amid all the challenges in front of us and the ones we encounter ahead. Citing the presence of statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the chapter room, Fr. Joseph reminded us of the ever loving and caring presence of Our Lady in our life as individual religious and as a Provincial Community. He enjoined us to place our Province under her protection and guidance during the next four years, so that She may help us to be faithful to Jesus Christ, her Son and our Lord.

Following his speech, each friar present came forward to congratulate and express support to Fr. Joseph while singing the MAGNA PATER AUGUSTINE. After receiving the blessing from the new Prior Provincial lunch followed.

At 2:30 PM the capitulars were convoked again for the last session of the day. At the beginning of this session, copies of a draft Chapter Message to the Brothers in the Province were distributed to the capitulars. Fr. John Oldfield, OAR, who was the in-charge of putting into writing the Message, read it to us. And, after a few comments, the capitulars gave their unanimous approval while congratulating Fr. Oldfield for carefully wording the chapter decisions as well as the sentiments of the capitulars..

Fr. General, then, led the capitulars to review three proposals for a slight modification in the Provincial Directory which concern on medical insurance, date for financial reporting, and psychological testing for our aspirants. By a show of hands, the proposals were approved.

Before ending the session Fr. General instructed the capitulars that, to give time to Fr. Provincial to select a team of possible Provincial Councilors to be presented for the chapter’s approval tomorrow, we will leave the evening free of sessions.

After evening prayer, the capitulars and the St. Augustine Priory Community were treated to a superb dinner by the members of the Priory Guild who came with a delicious food and spent time with to dine with us. They are among the ever kind friends and generous benefactors of the Community in Oxnard, CA. May God bless them and all our friends and benefactors!